Pitch Awards: Philips backs Tinubu’s reforms as Osimhen, Iwobi, others win top honours

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President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms in Nigerian football, urging stakeholders and the media to support efforts to improve transparency, professionalism, and accountability in the administration of the game.

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Mr Philips made the call on Tuesday at the 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony in Lagos, where Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Stanley Nwabali emerged among the leading award winners.

Osimhen claimed two of the major honours, winning the Rashidi Yekini Award for Best Striker of the Year and the King of the Pitch award.

Iwobi was named Midfielder of the Year, while Bassey won Defender of the Year, and Nwabali received the Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Rasheedat Ajibade was named Queen of the Pitch, while Justine Madugu won Coach of the Year for his work with the Super Falcons. Remo Stars were recognised as Team of the Year.

Philips backs reforms

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Philips said the awards came at an important time for Nigerian football, with reforms underway within the country’s football administration and regulatory institutions.

He commended President Tinubu for what he described as a bold step and urged stakeholders to support the reform process.

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“The ongoing reforms within the relevant regulatory institutions present both opportunities and responsibilities. Reform, by its very nature, demands courage, transparency, accountability, and a willingness to embrace better ways of doing things,” he said.

Mr Philips specifically called on the media, which he described as the “powerful Fourth Estate of the Realm”, to support the presidential initiative.

He said the reforms should strengthen football administration, improve professionalism and transparency, protect stakeholders’ interests and create an environment where talent can flourish.

The Pitch Awards president also stressed the importance of recognising excellence, saying awards can motivate young footballers and acknowledge the contributions of coaches, administrators, referees, journalists and supporters.

He said the organisers had faced financial difficulties in sustaining the annual event amid rising costs of logistics, production, publicity and other requirements.

Despite the challenges, he said, the organisers remained committed to celebrating those contributing to Nigerian football.

Emerging Star category

Mr Philips announced that the Nigeria Pitch Awards will introduce an Emerging Star Award from its next edition.

The category will recognise Nigeria’s most promising football starlet under 18 and is intended to encourage competition and talent development at the grassroots level.

He also announced that voting for the 2026 edition will begin in December, while the 13th award ceremony, scheduled for 2027, will be preceded by a symposium.

The 12th ceremony was originally scheduled for an earlier date but was delayed. Mr Philips clarified that the awards being presented were for the 2025 edition.

Voting process

Mr Philips reaffirmed the credibility of the awards’ voting process, explaining that winners are selected by a College of Voters comprising sports editors from across the country.

He said the voting pattern would be published after the ceremony to allow nominees and voters to see how the votes were recorded.

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Other winners

Kunle Soname, chairman of Remo Stars, received the Sam Okwaraji Award and also won the Sportsmanship Award.

The Nigeria Police Force and the Niger Delta Development Commission received the Special Achievement in Sports Award.

Lagos State won the award for State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, while the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo was named Football Pitch of the Year.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, won Football Friendly Governor of the Year, while MTN Nigeria received the Corporate Sponsor of Football Award.

In the journalism categories, Charles Diya of New Telegraph won the Print award, Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels Television won TV, Anthony Bekederemo of Brila 88.9 FM won Radio, and Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News/Nigeriafootball.ng won Online.

Mr Philips expressed appreciation to the National Sports Commission, Nigeria Football Federation, SIAO Partners and the Nigerian media for their support.